The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-09-29

of march, and in the darkness of tha
night we are travelling we know MOI
where.
May 1, 1868, we find that we are
some distance in the rear Of Crane
Gulf. The enemy finding his position
no longer tenable, marches out tt
meet US. By sun-up the battle com.
mences. It steadily increases in vol
ume until nearly all the troops pres.
ent are brought into action. Our di
vision is moved to the left to assist
Gen. Aulterhaus, who is calling fol
re-enforcements. Our first duty is tc
support battery. A rebel battery is
playing on us at lively rate, and it
is by good hugging of Mother Earth
that we escape being hit.
CHARGE.
We now move forward into the ra-
vine in front Of a rebel battery. Nc
time is to be lost; we hastily dress ou1
lines, fix bayonets, and with cheers
start to take that battery in. And we
certainly did take it in, and with it a
regiment Of infantry, including its
flag.
Our loss was 4 killed, mortally
wounded and about 20, more or less,
injured.
1t might be of general interest to
know who were the first men in our
regiment that offered up their lives a
sacrifice to their country: Richard
McCarty, George Bowman, James
Evans and William Fritz. Hiram
Kizer was mortally wounded.
Later in the day we were engaged
in battle again, and came nearly being
taken in as we were thrown some dis
tance in front Of our lines, and the
rebels took advantage of it and made
every effort to cut US off.
This battle was fought and won by
the Thirteenth Army Corps and two
divisions Of McPherson's troops. The
rest of the army, under Sherman, was
still in the vicinity of Vicksburg, to
hold that army there while we gained
foothold here.
Gen. Grants next..move is to unite
his army and press on to Jackson,
Mississippi.
Gen. Sherman's troops now take
the lead. The battle Of Raymond is
fought, and Jackson, Miss. falls. The
rear Of the army now faces about.
this brings US to the front, facing
Vicksburgh. Gen. Pemberton, Rebel
commander, marches out to meet us.
May 18th, at sundown, finds us en-
camped at Bolton Station. The next
morning we cautiously move forward.
The enemy is attempting to check US.
This brings on some severe skirmishes.
About two o'clock we force them back
on their main line of battle, on hill
Of consideral eminence, known to US
as Champion Hill. It is naturally a
strong position and difficult of ap-
proach. A narrow road led through
the woods to the top Of this hill, then
there was corn-feld and compare
lively level ground for some distance
toward Vicksburgh. Gen. Hovey
formed his line Of battle at the base
of this hill, in open cleared fields not
far from what we called the Champion
House. The entire Division was in
line, and my recollection is that our
brigade, or the second, was on the
right of the road. There were no
other troops in sight at that time.
At the command forward the entire
line rapidly advanced, and as we struck
their line we were met by a perfect
storm Of bullets. Fortunately for us
they fired little too high, so our on
ward progress was not checked, and
they rapidly gave back through the
oornfield | have before mentioned.
We fired at them till they disappeared
in the woods beyond. Up to this
time our loss was comparatively light.
Once more we sweep down through
the fields and the woods beyond. I
cannot tell how long we remained in
this position. l had secured a good
position myself behind little en-
bankment, and I think | was doing
good work when 1 noticed the entire
line was falling back. The enemy
had evidently reinforced greatly, and
our weakened lines were not able to
stand the pressure. We attempted to
fall back to the opposite side of the
field, or to the original position held
by the enemy. It was this retrograde
movement that cost us most Of our
men. 1t seemed that every step some
one fell. At length we reached the
woods. Our line was now nothing
more than a good skirmish line.
While here l saw the color sergeants
of the Oath and 2sth Ia. Regiments
place their flags side by side, while a
number of their men formed into line,
and sang that old National air, 'Rally
Round the Flag"
At last the entire Division was
forced back to where our Artillery had
been left. 1t was in position, every
man at his post, intending to sweep
the Rebel lines with grape and canis-
ter, as soon as they came in view of
the cleared land Five minutes more
and there will be a Rebel charge to